Construction Mage - Chapter 37: Rescue

AN: Hope you're all having a great weekend! Here's a bonus chapter, and probably another one tomorrow!

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While the four Delvers took a break, Clay got a better look at their wounds. He had some first-aid supplies to stop basic bleeds, but that was it. He quickly realized that it was far from enough. The injuries they sustained weren’t something an amateur could handle, and without treatment, they wouldn’t be able to move properly.

With so many bodies immobilized, there was no way for him to carry them all, either. The elemental he could summon wouldn’t last long enough for the entire trip and would drain his mana. They would need to somehow climb up the incline toward the surface with minimal help and trek through the withered forest on their own strength. It wasn’t impossible with Clay clearing the way and taking ample breaks. However, he couldn’t help but worry about any accidents that could occur during the journey. After all, he was only one inexperienced Delver.

“Just have to deal with it, I guess,” he muttered with a sigh.

With no solution to his problem, he busied himself with guard duty. It only took a glance to realize that all the bodies of the monsters were cluttering their area. It was not only a dirty, but a trip hazard if they were to fight again, so he took the time to drag them off to the side. At the same time, he took the opportunity to take them for what they had, gathering the loot in a pile before the four injured Delvers.

It mostly consisted of mundane armor and weapons. Clay wasn’t sure if they were lucky or not because, in return, they did manage to net two magic crystals from the Kobold Knights. Either way, he wasn’t too worried about it, as none of it belonged to him. Today, he was just here as a Good Samaritan.

“Um, Sir Clay, none of us are in any condition to carry anything,” Darian hesitantly said once he saw Clay back away from the spoils. “In fact, we don’t deserve any of it. We would’ve died if it were just us. These items should all belong to you.”

“I can’t carry all this either. At least, not safely,” he replied as he swept his gaze over the wounded.

“But—”

Before the two could argue further, sound rang out from the tunneling leading to the surface. Silence abruptly filled the void as the humans prepared to face off against any intruders.

Two sets of footsteps grew louder, as well as the sound of something being repeatedly crunched.

“Hey, there’s light down here,” a carefree voice casually called out, breaking the tension, followed by more crunching. 

“Let me take the lead, you big oaf. I’m not cleaning after the disgusting mess you make when you eat and fight,” a feminine voice called out this time.

“Never! The front belongs to me!”

The footsteps rapidly grew louder and soon shiny green greaves came into view as they stepped down the incline. A large, portly figure in full plate armor stepped into the light. He held a helmet under his arm, revealing his hearty grin and balding gray head to the world. In one hand, he had an intimidating war axe resting over his shoulder and a greasy drumstick in the other. He took a big bite out of the meat, including the bone, revealing what the source of the crunching noise was as he gave Clay and the Delvers a cursory look before speaking with his mouth full.

“Huh? You’re all fine, aren’t ya? That’s boring.”

His remarks earned him a wooden staff to the head. The wielder of the intricate wooden staff slowly came into view as well, as a woman descended into the corridor. Her gray eyes gleamed in the dark with intensity while long black hair flowed down from a wide-brimmed hat that was almost comically oversized. Nevertheless, she carried herself with grace and composure. Each step she took was confident and calculated. Once she arrived by her companion’s side, she clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention, and flashed her audience with a beaming smile like that of a kind older sister.

“Don’t mind this big oaf. I’m glad to see you all safe. I’m Sylphira, and this guy is Dorgan. We heard about your little accident, and if you don’t mind, we can escort you out of here.”

“That’d be perfect,” Darian excitedly replied. “To have so many veteran Delvers come to our rescue. We must be truly blessed.”

“Yes. From the looks of it, your party admirably endured through great hardship, so Myrilune must’ve taken notice,” Sylphira continued as her eyes wandered over to Clay. “I haven’t seen you before. Did you come to rescue these young ones as well?”

Clay would’ve had to be a fool not to realize these two newcomers were bona fide veteran Delvers. Their fancy equipment and aura around them were entirely different from the newbies he’s spoken to so far. Even among the crowd of Delvers in the enclosure outside the dungeon, not many measured up to the presence of the two before him.

He took a moment to gather his words, as this was very likely a turning point for him. It was the perfect opportunity to introduce himself to some influential figures in the community that he would soon have to rely on. That’s why he decided it was best to remain as truthful as possible, lest he cause himself future troubles.

“Yes. I happened to come across their companion while I was in the area. I’m Clay, by the way, and yes, I’m new around here.”

“Oh?” the woman muttered as Clay felt her eyes trace every contour of his being.

“Welcome, welcome!” the portly man known as Dorgan blurted out without any restraint, allowing his voice to carry across the tunnel. “It’s always good to see new people around here. Did you plan to stay around Ravenhold long term, or are you just visiting Clay?”

“For now, long-term, so I’d love to make some new friends, but why don’t we get the injured out of here first?”

“Yes, of course! Let’s get going, then.”

Before anyone could react, the large man disappeared into a blur for a split second and reappeared with all the injured Delvers over his shoulders.

Young Darian and his party couldn’t mutter a word as they began ascending toward the surface. Clay quickly followed and observed the two veterans with both curiosity and caution. It was apparent they were strong. Strong enough to do harm to them if they had malicious intentions, but they didn’t seem to be bad people.

Thankfully, his assessment of their character proved to be correct.

The two really did lead them back unharmed and at record time, too. They also opened his eyes in the process, allowing him to witness what powerful Delvers were capable of.

Dorgan, consistent with his startling jaw strength that allowed him to snack through bones, easily sent the kobolds they encountered flying. Flying not just through the air, but snapping through any tree in its trajectory as well. The scene was brutal, mutilating the monster entirely, demonstrating how his strength had long outgrown the challenges of the first layer.

Even more surprisingly, the woman Sylphira was the first Delver with a mage class that Clay had the opportunity to see up close. She was a water mage who could one-shot anything they came across. However, one thing Clay noticed was that her cast speed was nothing impressive. It got him curious about the common progression path for mages.

He wanted to ask about it, but the events unfolded too quickly. They were trekking out of the dungeon at a high pace, and once they returned, they had the injured to tend to.

“Sir, you’re back!” a familiar voice called out as soon as they teleported back into Ravenhold. Before he could respond, a woman leaped toward him, or, to be precise, right past him, into the arms of Darian.

No words were exchanged as only crying could be heard, and Clay quickly made some distance to give them and what he presumed to be a healer, who was waiting gingerly beside Malik, some space.

“You guys did well, finding help,” Clay complimented, as he looked back at Dorgan and Sylphira. He found them next to the injured party, chatting with the nearby guards.

“I’m glad you’re safe, sir,” Malik said, somewhat hesitantly.

“Hm? Got something to say? Just say it.”

“Umm, do you think we should return to the dungeon today after a break? We didn’t get a chance to gather that much today.”

“Oh, about that, look here.” Clay fetched his coin pouch and revealed two pristine magic crystals as well as the armor pieces he managed to bring out. Thanks to Dorgan, he hadn’t needed to support or carry anyone. It left his hands free to carry the loot. “This should be worth about what we earn in a day. Don’t worry, the split will remain unchanged, but I think I’ve had enough of the dungeon for a day. Oh, can you go sell the loot for me then? I got some unfinished business to attend to.”

“Sure thing, sir!”

With that, Clay walked over to the crowd of injured Delvers in time to see them being carried off on litters. Dorgan spotted him immediately and brought him in for a hug as if they were friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time.

“If it isn’t Clay! Those younglings were just asking about you. They should be fine, by the way. Even without having to resort to potions and the like. It’ll take them a full day or two to recover, though—those fools. They should’ve just accepted the potions I offered.”

Clay tried to keep his cool and endured the man’s over-friendly antics.

“You know how teenagers are. Always eager to prove themselves. A day or two is already quite fast. Anyway, are you two free for a chat?” he said as he turned to Sylphira. ”I’m actually a mage as well. I’d love to seek your advice on a few things. You two can come to my humble abode for some tea if you want.”

“Oh, did you hear that, Sylphira? A fellow mage!”

“Yes, I’m not deaf, you big oaf,” the woman retorted, changing her expression from fury to amused in the second she took to turn to Clay. “A new mage in town, you say? Color me interested.”

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